school visit.

Thursday, Katinka & I walked over to the primary school in the morning to see our kids. We left the bureau and started walking the short distance to their school on the red dirt road. It is amazing to me that I still think it’s insanely hot here. But, let me be quite frank…

IT IS INSANELY HOT HERE. 

And every morning, Katinka or I will comment on that fact. 

It doesn’t change. 

It’s the same. 

But it is still shocking every single morning.

Katinka and I walked up the dirt road and we were unsure of exactly where the school was, but Jon had told us directions the night before and we were pretty positive we were at the right place. But we stood on the road looking around for a minute or so.

Then all the sudden, from a building we were facing off the road I heard, “TATA JILL!”

Yep.

We were at the right place…

It creates quite a stir when two white girls show up anywhere in town. So the kids were all peeking out their open schoolroom windows, staring at us. The director of the school took us into her office and we spoke with her for sometime. The children have to be at school each day by 7 o’clock in the morning. They then get a break at 10 for breakfast. Our kids take money with them and there are women in a little area of the school’s property by the street who sell bread and water and different things for the kids to eat on this 30-minute “recess” time. After they were finished with their petit dejeuner, we started with the oldest class and worked our way to each of our kid’s classrooms. We took pictures of them in their uniforms and with some of their friends to be sent to their sponsors in the States and Europe. It was so sweet to see their faces light up when Katinka and I would walk into the room! They were so proud to show us off to their friends and so surprised that we had shown up at their school. Saturnin, Dossou, and Hubert led us to each class and everyone was so welcoming and glad we were there.

looking out at the main road from the front of the school

one of the two buildings at the school

in the directors office

a list of the teachers for each class

the children gathered for their breakfast break

the door on the left is the entrance to Adjoke, Rosaline and Amide's class

the toilets

This primary school has 388 children.

This primary school has 6 teachers.

That is an average of about 65 children per class…

Can you IMAGINE?

I am not a teacher.

I could never be a teacher in the States.

And I am confident that I could NEVER be a teacher in Africa.

Children crowded into one classroom.

No resources available.

Each child doesn’t even have their own textbook.

But it is imperative that these children receive an education.

sweet delphine

femi. his smile can light up the room!

hubert. trying to be a stud and not smile...

pretty hubertine surrounded by friends.

alice. she was mildly embarrassed by us! 

but that's what Tatas are for, right?

adjoke.

charle is a child in Sakete who receives help from Arbre de Vie.

The children of Arbre de Vie's orphanage are able to attend school because of the generous donations that are provided for each child through monthly sponsorship. Arbre de Vie also provides sponsorship for children in surrounding villages so they can attend school, afford their uniforms and various supplies, and also have nutritious meals. Many village children still need sponsors.

This morning, we walked over to the high school to pay the same visit to our kids there. They have the same break at 10 o’clock, so we knew that would be a good time to show up. It was pretty chaotic in front of the high school and we were once again drawing quite a fan base as we searched for a familiar face in the crowd of close to 1,000 students. Bernard and Louisette walked out of the gate together and saw us standing by the street vendors. The look on each of their faces was priceless! They grabbed us and gave us the biggest hugs. So proud that we were at their school!

Bernard took us to the headmaster’s office and we were, again, welcomed to the school and given permission to do anything we needed. The high school is much, much larger than the primary school. There are many buildings. And close to 30 classrooms. After the children all returned to their classrooms following their break for petit dejeuner, Bernard took us into each of our kid’s classrooms and we met their teachers and took their pictures. All the students were so friendly and each of the teachers were incredibly welcoming.

I already take such pride in these kids.

They are some of the best people I have ever met.

I find myself daily being astounded by their perseverance and will to overcome.

I realized that even more this past week.

Just how proud I am to know them.

Walking through their schools.

Seeing a different part of their life.

I love making sure they feel special. 

And loved.

Because they are so special.

And they deserve so much love.

seraphin.

louise.

bernard's class.

louisette.

vivianne.